Steelers Blog

Coach Tomlin: It was good to finish on a positive note here in 2012, particularly the way we knuckled-up in the second half as a team. We were short in some areas. We had five healthy offensive linemen and two healthy corners. Those guys knuckled-up and delivered. It’s a good winning note for us and a good team effort. On the injury front, Keenan Lewis re-injured his knee. He’s getting it examined. The same thing for [Brett] Keisel, it’s probably an MCL but we’re getting that examined. [David] DeCastro has a stinger and Kelvin Beachum had a concussion.

Re: CB Cortez Allen stepping up the last few weeks:
He really hasn’t had an option. He’s playing every snap on defense and he’s a young guy who’s arrow is pointed up. He did a nice job getting some turnovers for us. Of course, we haven’t gotten as many of those as we’d like. He has helped us, not only today but last week as well.

Re: Team’s performance in the second half:
We just continued to play hard and put forth effort. We got a few turnovers there, capitalized, put seven points on the board as opposed to field goals. It was critical for us.

Can you describe the touchdown to WR Plaxico Burress, and do you think he has a future with this team?
We’ll deal with next year next year. I appreciate his efforts today. Obviously, he’s an easy target in that area. We knew that he would have an opportunity to contribute there. We focused a lot of our efforts there. It was good for him to make that play for us.

How is QB Ben Roethlisberger feeling?
Fine.

Re: Thoughts about this group of players and what you went through this season:
Obviously, we’ve experienced some professional disappointment in the big picture. But in the small picture we had a game to play today and a game to prepare for today and win. I liked the efforts. I’ll wrap the bow around 2012 a little bit tomorrow.

Can that be momentum, using this win to move forward?
No, because this year is this year and next year is next year. But it is good to finish on a positive note and to finish with the arrow pointed up. Hopefully, for individuals it can be something to build upon going into the offseason.